Livonia City Council Study Meeting – May 4, 2026

The Livonia City Council held a study meeting on May 4, 2026, to review items for consideration at the regular meeting on May 18, 2026. The meeting was called to order at 8:21 PM and adjourned at 9:31 PM. All ten agenda items were directed to be placed on the consent agenda for the May 18 regular meeting. The council also heard public comments on consent agenda procedures, a pending development, and sidewalk policies, and briefly discussed a potential moratorium on data centers and car washes. Note: The agenda labels item 3 as a 'Master Plan Petition', while the minutes and transcript refer to it as a 'Waiver Petition'; the substance of the request is identical.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve King (Covenant Gardens) criticized the practice of bundling items on the consent agenda, arguing it limits public comment. He stated he would file a formal Open Meetings Act complaint and claimed council efforts to streamline efficiency undermine accountability.
• Christopher Martin objected to the consent agenda procedure, asserting that residents should be allowed to speak individually on each item. He referenced the meeting's rules and argued the council made a procedural error.
• Greg Ralko (Golf Ridge Villa) spoke about the Sheetz development at Eight Mile and Newburgh. He questioned why the city is defending the ZBA's decision, which he characterized as incompetent and illegal. He urged the council to put the topic on a future agenda, defend its previous 5-2 vote against rezoning, and direct the legal department to withdraw its defense of the appeal.
• John Pastor expressed strong support for the ZBA and the Sheetz development. He argued that the opposition is from a small group, that the development benefits the community, and that the council should not waste more time on the matter; instead, let the courts decide.
• Vicky Johnson (Jameson Court, Livonia) commented on the sidewalk waiver request, noting safety concerns for pedestrians who must walk in the street when sidewalks are absent or inconsistent. She urged the city to avoid creating patchwork sidewalks that increase danger.

Discussion Items

Consent Agenda Protocol

During council comments, Councilmember McCullough and Assistant City Attorney Rogers clarified that the three-minute comment period applies per speaker, not per item, and that residents may request a council member to pull an item for separate discussion and comment.

Data Center and Car Wash Moratorium

Councilmember McDonnell asked for an update on the moratorium document for data centers and car washes. Assistant City Attorney Rogers stated that the legal department is actively researching and expects to present it by ordinance, but no specific timeline was available; she noted that Mr. Goldstein would provide an update at the next meeting.

Development Proposals at Millennium Park (Items 3-5)

Three waiver use petitions were presented together due to their interrelated nature, all involving the Millennium Park shopping center on Middle Belt Road.

• Costco (Item 3): Costco proposes to remove its existing fueling facility in front of the warehouse and construct a new 20-pump fueling station behind the building on land owned by Millennium Park. The project also adds 88 new parking spaces where the current station sits, improves traffic circulation by making an exit onto Middle Belt Road right-turn-only, and creates a new four-way stop on the service drive behind Costco. The existing eight-pump station will be decommissioned and removed. The relocation is designed to reduce congestion at the Middle Belt/Millennium Drive entrance, currently the highest incident location in the city.
• Meijer Gas Station & Convenience Store (Item 4): Meijer will construct a gas station with eight pumps and a 3,300-square-foot convenience store on land it owns at the east side of Middle Belt Road. The facility is intended to serve customers already shopping in the plaza and will include enhanced landscaping and architecture.
• El Car Wash (Item 5): El Car Wash Mid-West LLC proposes to build a car wash at the north end of the Meijer parking lot. The project includes 24 indoor vacuum stations in a climate-controlled glass building, seven additional outdoor vacuums, and a design that will block six of the current 12 drive lanes through the Meijer lot to create more orderly traffic flow. The car wash recycles over 80% of its water and will be built with masonry and glass materials. The site is over 1,800 feet from the nearest residence.

The combined projects represent approximately $26–27 million in private investment. Planning Director Taormina noted that the three petitions are coordinated under a single reciprocal easement and operating agreement and were approved unanimously by the Planning Commission after revisions. Councilmembers McCullough, Ptashnik, Persiconi, and McDonnell expressed support, citing improvements to traffic safety, increased green space (over one acre added), and the reuse of underutilized parking areas. Councilmember McDonnell also asked about phasing; the applicant indicated all projects will be developed concurrently, with the Costco relocation phased so the old station remains open until the new one opens.

Consent Calendar

The following items were directed to be placed on the consent agenda for the May 18, 2026 regular meeting:

• Block Party: Jasmine Cone's request for a block party on Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Alexander Street between 14926 and 14966.
• Sidewalk Waiver: Shadyside Development LLC's request to waive sidewalk requirements for three infill properties on Shadyside Street. The City Engineer noted the area has no existing sidewalks and recommended approval.
• Amendment to Council Resolution 151-25: Replacing the authorized representative with Zachary Haapala for the lead service line replacement plan.
• Water Service Contract Amendment No. 5 (GLWA): Minor adjustments to the contract, effective July 1, 2027, for four years. The new agreement lowers peak consumption limits to 21.4 million gallons per day (max day) and 30 million gallons per day (peak hour).
• Stormwater Maintenance Agreements: Three separate agreements for Plymouth Auto Sales (36534 Plymouth Road), Seven Mile/Farmington Venture Limited Partnership (33500 Seven Mile Road, for new Meijer), and JB Tool (13000 Farmington Road).

Key Outcomes

• All 10 agenda items were approved for placement on the consent agenda for the May 18, 2026 regular meeting, where final votes will be taken.
• The council discussed but took no formal action on the data center and car wash moratorium; the legal department is continuing to draft the ordinance.